Tackling Wicked Problems

INTRODUCTION
Many of the most pressing policy challenges for the Australian Public Service involve dealing with very complex
problems. These problems share a range of characteristics—they go beyond the capacity of
any one organization to understand and respond to, and there is often disagreement about
the causes of the problems and the best way to tackle them. These complex policy problems
are sometimes called "wicked" problems.

Usually, part of the solution to wicked problems involves changing the behavior of groups
of citizens or all citizens. Other key ingredients in solving or at least managing complex
policy problems include successfully working across both internal and external organizational
boundaries and engaging citizens and stakeholders in policy making and implementation.

Wicked problems require innovative, comprehensive solutions that can be modified in the
light of experience and on-the-ground feedback. All of the above can pose challenges to
traditional approaches to policy making and program implementation.
There are numerous examples of wicked policy problems, including:

Climate change is a pressing and highly complex policy issue involving multiple causal
factors and high levels of disagreement about the nature of the problem and the best way
to tackle it. The motivation and behavior of individuals is a key part of the solution as is
the involvement of all levels of government and a wide range of non-government
organizations (NGOs).

Obesity is a complex and serious health problem with multiple factors contributing to its
rapid growth over recent decades. How to successfully address obesity is subject to debate
but depends significantly on the motivation and behaviour of individuals and, to a lesser
degree, on the quality of secondary health care. Successful interventions will require
coordinated efforts at the federal, state and local government levels and the involvement
of a range of NGOs.

Indigenous disadvantage is an ongoing, seemingly intractable issue but it is clear that the
motivation and behaviour of individuals and communities lies at the heart of successful
approaches. The need for coordination and an overarching strategy among the services
and programs supported by the various levels of government and NGOs is also a key
ingredient.

Land degradation is a serious national problem. Given that around 60 percent of Australia's
land is managed by private landholders, it is clear that assisting and motivating primary
producers to adopt sustainable production systems is central to preventing further
degradation, achieving rehabilitation and assisting in sustainable resource use. All levels
of government are involved in land use as is a range of NGOs.

This discussion paper explores the characteristics of wicked problems and the challenges they
pose for the traditional approaches and skills sets of policy makers. Although developing
effective ways to tackle wicked problems is an evolving art, this paper identifies some of the
main ingredients that seem to be required.